Monday, November 30, 2009

Heard this: Matsui’s attraction as a marketable asset is no factor for the Yankees. It is about getting the right player at the right price.

As a fan you hope that this is always the case. A team should never make a decision based on anything but how it effects the team on the field. Generally, better decisions will be made with that philosophy.

I still think the Yankees would like to have him back for one year, especially if Damon signs elsewhere.

- According to Newsday's Erik Boland, the Yankees are mulling over their arbitration offers. They have a better idea after Thursday's organizational meets.

A full postseason share for the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees totaled a record $365,052.73, while a full share for the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies amounted to $265,357.50, Major League Baseball announced today. The record full share for the World Series Champion Yankees eclipsed the previous mark of $362,173.07 per full share for the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the American League Championship Series runners-up, voted a full share for the estate of Nick Adenhart.

The players' pool, formed from 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games of the League Championship series and the World Series, was divided among 12 clubs: the World Series participants, the League Championship Series and Division Series runners-up, and the four regular season second-place clubs that were not Wild Card participants.

The club-by-club breakdown follows:

World Series ChampionsNew York Yankees (Share of Players' Pool: $21,266,321.79; value of each full share: $365,052.73) - The Yankees awarded 46 full shares, 12.25 partial shares and 2 cash awards.

National League ChampionsPhiladelphia Phillies (Share of Players' Pool: $14,177,547.86; value of each full share: $265,357.50) - The Phillies awarded 45 full shares, 8.35 partial shares and 3 cash awards.

I'm sure many of you will be happy about this news.... According to Richard Sandomir TBS has decided to part ways with announcer Chip Caray. Caray had been the lead announcer for the MLB playoffs, and called Braves games.

In a memo sent to company employees, David Levy, the president of Turner Sports, wrote on Monday: “Since the end of this year’s M.L.B. playoffs, we’ve had several discussions with Chip Caray regarding 2010 and beyond. Both sides have agreed that now is the right time for Turner Sports and Chip to move ahead on different paths.”.

The article also says that there was time left on Caray's contract, so when they say "Both sides have agreed", what they actually mean is Chip Caray was fired and we're just saying this to be nice.

Caray was also doing Braves games for TBS and the company said they were looking at a

According to Chad Jennings, the Yankees Future Stars game will be between the "big league Yankees and the upper-level minor leaguers, guys who were just cut out of big league camp and some Double-A guys who are on the fringe of making the Triple-A team. It will be played at George M. Steinbrenner Field."

Spring Training is usually boring so at least I can look forward to that.

It was leaked last week by Gawker that Jeter was going to win the award, and today it was made official. Jeter has been named as the 56th Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, and the issue will hit newsstands this Wednesday.

Said Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell, "Derek Jeter has always presented himself with class; he does numerous good works for the community with his Turn 2 Foundation, which is one of the most efficient, effective foundations of its kind; and he's extremely generous with not just his money but with his time, which in many cases is more valuable. He also had another signature year on the field."

Sunday, November 29, 2009

- With Bob Sheppard officially retiring, Buster Olney wrote this blog post about the Voice of Yankee Stadium. When Olney was a beat writer for The Times he, Sheppard, and Eddie Layton would always rush to the first elevator out of the press box just after the game had ended. Olney to get to the clubhouse, Layton and Sheppard to beat the traffic.

- Bill Madden discussed the potential AL East bidding war for Roy Halladay. Also in the article was this about Boston's plans:

According to a source, the Red Sox hierarchy is split on acquiring Halladay. GM Theo Epstein, the source said, does not want to surrender the Sox's prime homegrown products - pitcher Clay Buchholz, shortstop/pitcher Casey Kelly and pitcher Daniel Bard - the Blue Jays are seeking. But Sox owner John Henry is believed to be the driving force behind completing a deal, the source said.

Epstein would rather use the Red Sox's abundance of lower-level prospects to pursue a deal with the Padres for slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, or with the Marlins for former Red Sox farmhand Hanley Ramirez, the star shortstop. The Padres and Marlins are said to be seeking players on the cusp of the major leagues who would be under their control for several years.

Interesting.... I really hope they don't get Hanley.

- Black Friday saw another Yankees victory over the Mets, this time in merchandise sales.

The Yankees Clubhouse on 42nd Street, still basking in the glow of the team’s 27th World Series championship, was flooded with customers elbowing through racks of commemorative T-shirts, hats and jackets. Pedestrians stopped to snap photographs of the storefront.

Two blocks east, the Mets Clubhouse hosted a handful of passers-by who gazed at the rows of jerseys and sweatshirts, many 50 percent off. The store seemed to be as quiet as Shea Stadium was after Carlos Beltran looked at Adam Wainwright’s called third strike to end the 2006 season.

- How about some more crapping on NL East teams? OK, good. NBC's Circling The Bases shoots down Philly's claim that 2 million people attended last year's championship parade.

- Steve Lombardi over at Was Watching suggests the Yankees move Posada to a full-time DH role in 2010, pointing out Posada's sub-par defensive as the main reason. Also, with Hideki Matsui being a free agent there is an opening.

I'm not defender of Posada as a defensive catcher, but this team just won the World Series, so while he isn't great defensively I don't think it's hurting the team. Plus, I really don't see any good options out there to replace him. Still, it's definitely worth the read.

"I don't know that I'll last as long as Bob - the fact that he was working in his mid-90s is amazing in any job," Olden said Friday in a telephone interview. "This is one of the best jobs I've ever had, especially coming in the first year and going all the way, the team winning. When this comes along, you want the ride to go for a long time."

Olden and Sheppard are friends, a relationship forged when Olden was a Yankee broadcaster in the mid-1990s and later when he did Rays games. Olden recalled sitting at Sheppard's corner table in the press dining room at the old Stadium, listening to Sheppard's stories. Sometimes he got Sheppard to tell a few on his pregame show.

Olden knew Sheppard was retiring, saying, "He needed to get to a place where he could hear himself say those words and I think he got there." In recent conversations, Sheppard "kind of gave me his blessing" as his replacement, Olden said.

"That was so important to me," Olden said. "I thanked him. Oh, my gosh, it's almost beyond words to describe a man of his stature saying that to me."

There had to be a ton of pressure on the guy coming into this year, but he handled it well. He's no Bob Sheppard (nobody is), but he does a good job.

Francisco Cervelli--C--Lara--- Cervelli played in only 2 games this week going 0-5 with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. So far he's hitting .214 (3-14) in 6 games. In 2009 he hit .298 (28-94) in 42 games for New York.

Ramiro Pena--INF----Pena just started winter ball this week hitting .250 (5-20) with a double, stolen base and 3 runs scored. In 2009 at NY he hit .287

Jon Weber--OF--Mazatlan---Weber was just signed as a minor league free agent this week. So far in winter ball he's hitting .398 (33-83) in 19 games with 4 homers, 21 rbis, 6 doubles, and a .427 OBP. In 2009 for AAA Durham (Tampa) he hit .302, 14 HR, 69 rbi, .382 OBP.

Walter Ibarra--INF--Hermosillo---Ibarra appeared in only 1 game this week as a pinch runner. He did not have an at bat. MWL totals: .293 (12-41), 4 rbi, 9 runs. In 2009 at A-Tampa Ibarra hit .265, 38 runs, 16 rbi.

Eduardo Nunez--INF--Toros---Nunez just began winter ball last week, and did not play this week. He's 1-4 with a walk so far. In 09 at AA Trenton he hit .322, 55 rbi, 70 runs, 9 HR, 26 doubles, 19 stolen bases.

Abraham Almonte--OF--Escogido--Almonte got in 2 games this week as a pinch runner. He had no at bats. DWL totals: .273 (3-11) 6 runs, 3 rbis, 1 stolen base. At A-Charleston in 09 he hit .280, 56 rbi, 36 stolen bases.

1878 - Former Yankees P Tom “Long Tom” Hughes (1904) was born. On December 20, 1903, Tom was traded by the Americans (Red Sox) to the Yankees for P Jesse Tannehill. Tom went 14-16 in 32 games for the 1904 Yankees. On July 20, 1904, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with P Barney Wolfe to the Senators for starter Al Orth.

1924 - Former Yankees All Star OF Irv Noren (1952-1956) was born. Irv had 3 good out of 4 seasons with the Yankees, including hitting .314 in 1954, despite being troubled with bad knees. He appeared in 3 World Series with the Bombers with the 1952 World Series being his best, hitting .300 against the Dodgers. Irv was on the 1954 AL All Star team. On May 3, 1952, Irv was traded by the Senators along with OF Tom Upton to the Yankees for OF Jackie Jensen, P Spec Shea, INF Jerry Snyder, and OF Archie Wilson. On February 12,1957, after hitting just .216 in 1956, Irv was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later, P Rip Coleman, INF Milt Graff, INF Billy Hunter, Pitchers Mickey McDermott and Tom Morgan to the A’s for players to be named later, Pitchers Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz, Jack McMahan, and INF Wayne Belardi. Yankees would send P Jack Urban on April 5, 1957 to the A’s to complete the trade. The A’s sent INF Curt Roberts on April 4, 1957. The A’s send INF Clete Boyer on June 4, 1957 to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1950 - Former Yankees DH/1B/OF Mike Easler (1986-1987) was born. On March 28, 1986, Mike was traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees for DH/1B Don Baylor. Mike hit .297 with 18 HRs, 99 RBIs in 211 games with the Yankees. On December 11, 1986, Mike was traded by the Yankees along with INF Tom Barrett to the Phillies for minor league INF Jeff Knox and P Charles Hudson. On June 10, 1987, Mike was traded by the Phillies back to the Yankees for OF Keith Hughes and INF/OF Shane Turner. On December 21, 1987, Mike was released by the Yankees.

1950 - Former Yankees DH/OF/1B Otto Velez (1973-1976) was born. In 1969, the Yankees signed Otto as an MLB amateur free agent. Otto appeared in a total of 105 games with the Yankees He hit .266 in 49 games in 1976 season playing 1B, OF and DH. Otto appeared in the 1976 AL Playoffs and World Series with 4 at bats and no hits. On November 5, 1976, Otto was drafted by the Blue Jays from the Yankees as the 53rd pick in the 1976 AL Player Expansion draft (the Blue Jays and Mariners).

1965 - The Yankees traded utility player Phil “Super Sub” Linz to the Phillies for shortstop Ruben Amaro. The Yankees hoped that Amaro would replace the retiring Tony Kubek in the shortstop job in the 1966 Yankees infield, he proved to be a major disappointment.

1966 - The Yankees traded 3B Clete Boyer to the Braves for rookie OF Bill Robinson and 39-year-old P Chi Chi Olivo. The trade of Clete Boyer will leaves a defensive gap at 3B for the Yankees, which will not be solved until the arrival of Graig Nettles from the Indians in winter of 1972. Rookie OF Bill Robinson was a failure for the Yankees, but later reappeared in the NL, having successful seasons with the Pirates and Phillies, meanwhile Boyer would have 5 more good MLB seasons with the Braves, before going to Japan to play baseball. Olivo never appears with the Yankees at the MLB level.

1969 - Current Yankees AL All Star Closer Mariano “Mo” Rivera (1995-current) was born. In 1990, Mariano Rivera was signed as by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. Mo is the greatest Yankee closer in the team’s history (1903-2000). Mo Rivera Yankees career stats are currently at 71-52 with a .577 WP, 2.25 ERA in 917 games with 526 saves. Mariano’s AL All Star record is 0-0 in 6 games with 3 saves. His AL Divisional series record is 2-0 in 34 games 0.35 ERA with 16 saves. His ALCS record is 4-0 with 0.99 ERA in 30 games and 12 saves. His World Series record is 2-1, with a 0.99 ERA in 24 games with 11 saves. He has won the AL Rolaids Award in 1999, 2004-2005, the 1999 AL Babe Ruth Award and MLB World Series MVP Award. He has been named to the AL All Star team 10 times.

1976 - The Yankees signed All Star MLB free-agent Reggie Jackson to 5-year, $3.5 million dollar contract. During Mr. October's tenure, the Bronx Bombers will win 4 AL East divisions, 3-AL pennants and 2 World Series Championships, before leaving in 1981 as a free agent signing with the Angels.

1979 - MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn lets Billy Martin off with a warning, following the October 23rd incident in which he is involved in a barroom altercation with Joseph Cooper, a Minnesota marshmallow salesman. Cooper requires 15 stitches to close a gash in his lip.

1982 - Former Yankees P Al “Bozo” Cicotte (1957) passed away (1929-1982). Before the 1948 AL Season, the Yankees signed Al as an MLB amateur free agent. Al went 2-2 in 20 games with 2 saves in 1957. On May 14, 1958, Al was purchased by the Senators from the Yankees. Al would pitch in MLB for 5 seasons finishing with a 10-13 mark in 102 games with the Yankees, Senators, Tigers, Indians, Cardinals and the Colt 45’s. He was a grandnephew of HOF P Eddie Cicotte.

1992 - Former Yankees reserve OF George “Tuck” Stainback (1942-1945) passed away. On December 4, 1941, Tuck was purchased by the Yankees from the Tigers. He appeared in 211 games with the Yankees hitting .252 with 5 HRs with 47 RBIs. George appeared in 7 World Series games (1942-1943) with the Yankees, hitting just .176. On April 26, 1946, Tuck was released by the Yankees. He would play for the A’s in 1946, hitting .244 in 91 games.

1995 - Former 3B Charlie Smith, the player traded to Yankees from the Cardinals for former AL MVP and All Star OF Roger Maris in 1966, dies at age 57. Charley hit .224 (1967) and .229 (1968) for the Yankees before being traded to the Giants. While Roger Maris hit .261 and .255 for the St. Louis Cardinals and playing in the 1967-1968 World Series, while the Yankees finished 9th and 5th place in the AL.

1998 - Former Yankees hurler and long time Pitching Coach for Manager Casey Stengel, Jim “The Milkman” Turner passed away (1903-1998). Jim went 11-9 in 88 games with 19 saves for the Yankees (1942-1945). He led the AL in 1945 with 10 saves. He would be Casey Stengel’s pitching coach during the 1949-1959 dynasty seasons. After the 1959 AL 3rd place finish, Jim was replaced by former Yankees P Eddie Lopat as Yankees MLB pitching coach. Jim would work in the Reds organization from 1960-1965. He would return to the Yankees in 1966, being the Yankees MLB pitching coach until 1973, under Manager Ralph Houk.

2005 - Former Yankees minor league 1B Vic Power passed away (1927-2005). Before 1951 AL Season, Vic was purchased by the Yankees from the Drummondville (Provincial). On December 16, 1953, Vic was traded by the Yankees along with INF Don Bollweg, 3B Jim Finigan, P Johnny Gray, OF Bill Renna, and C Jim Robertson to the A’s for P Harry Byrd, 1B Eddie Robinson, outfielders Tom Hamilton and Carmen Mauro, and INF Loren Babe. Vic Power was considered to be too flashy by Yankees GM George Weiss to be the 1st black Yankees MLB player. GM Weiss traded away the black players in the Yankees farm system, keeping only OF/C Elston Howard. Vic Power was a better 1B than Bill “Moose” Skowron, who admitted that Vic was the best 1st Baseman that he had ever played against during his long MLB career. Vic won AL Golden Glove 1B Award in the AL from 1958-1964.

2006 - Former Yankee P Pete Mikkelsen (1964-1965) passed away (1939-2006). Before the 1958 AL Season, Pete was signed by the Yankees as an amateur MLB free agent. Primarily used as a reliever by Manager Yogi Berra, he reached the World Series in 1964, his rookie season with the Yankees. His rookie season bullpen work for the Bronx Bombers was instrumental in helping the team squeeze out an AL pennant, the last for the old Yankees dynasty (1949-1964). In 1964, Pete went 7-4 in 50 games with 12 saves. In 1965, he slipped to a 4-9 mark in 41 games with only 1 save. On December 10, 1965, Pete was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates and cash for veteran starter Bob Friend. His trade was another bad deal done by the Yankees front office along with the deals of Clete Boyer and Roger Maris, which in all truth were salary dumps made by CBS management.

2007 - The Yankees officially announced that catcher Jorge Posada's 4-year, $52.4-million deal that will most likely keep him in pinstripes for the remainder of his MLB baseball career or at least through 2011 AL season.

November 30th

1909 - Former Yankees P Jimmy DeShong (1934-1935) was born. Jimmy went 10-8 in 60 games with the Yankees. On January 17, 1936, Jim was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jesse Hill to the Senators for P Bump Hadley and OF Roy Johnson.

1936 - Former Yankees reliever Steve Hamilton (1963-1970) was born (1936-1997). Steve was obtained from the Senators for P Jim Coates in April of 1963. Steve worked mostly out of the Yankees bullpen until September of 1970, going 34-20 in 312 games with 36 saves. His one complete game shutout was on August 5, 1966, against the Indians, while pitching for the Yankees. He gave up 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3. It was one of only 3 starts that he had in the 1966 AL season. Late in his career, Hamilton threw the famed "folly-floater," a high, slow lob pitch. On September 9, 1970, Steve was selected off waivers by the White Sox from the Yankees. During the late 1950’s, Steve had played for the NBA with old Lakers team in Minnesota, as a reserve player.

1952 - On a local TV program, Brooklyn Dodgers All Star INF Jackie Robinson charges that the Yankees management is racist for its failure to bring up a black player. Yankees General Manager George Weiss denies Robinson’s allegations of racism. In reality, GM Weiss will release or trade away all minority players in the Yankees farm system except for OF/C Elston Howard, who will become the 1st black Yankee MLB player in 1955. Among those minority players, who were traded away or released by the Yankees were future AL All Star 1B Vic Power and MLB P Ruben Gomez.

1960 - Former Yankees P Bob Tewksbury (1986-1987) was born. The Yankees in the 19th round of the 1981 MLB amateur player draft drafted Bob. In 1986, Bob went 9-5 in 23 games with 2 complete games. Bob was 1-4 in 8 games with the team, when on July 13, 1987; he was traded by the Yankees along with minor league hurlers Rich Scheid and Dean Wilkins to the Cubs for starter Steve Trout.

1964 - The Yankees drafted C Ellie Rodriguez from the A’s organization in the 1964 MLB 1st-year player draft. Ellie appeared in 9 games for the 1968 Yankees hitting just .208. He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 1968 AL expansion team player draft (the Royals and Pilots).

1964 - 1B/OF Duke Carmel was drafted by the Yankees from the Mets organization in the 1964 MLB Rule 5 Player Draft. Duke appeared in 6 games for the 1965 Yankees with no hits.

1967 - The Yankees purchased shortstop Gene “Stick” Michael from the Dodgers for cash. He will be the Yankees starting shortstop until the 1975 AL season. After retiring as a MLB player, he will return to the Yankees organization to be a coach, Manager (MLB and minor leagues), General Manager. Currently Gene is serving as a Special Consultant in the Yankees front office.

1976 - The Yankees purchased OF/DH Jimmy “Toy Cannon” Wynn from the Braves for $100,000. He hit a disappointing .133 in 43 games for the Yankees before being released by the Yankees on July 14, 1977. He hit the game winning hit in the 1977 home opener, which was the highlight of his Yankee career.

1976 - Former Yankees reserve 1B/OF Craig Wilson (2006) was born. After being traded by the Pirates for P Shawn Chacon, Craig only hit .212 in 40 games in pinstripes. He left the Yankees for free agency in the fall of 2006, signing with the Braves.

1981 - Yankees rookie left-handed starter Dave Righetti, who had of 8-4 record with a 2.06 ERA in 1981, wins the 1981 AL Rookie of the Year Award. The Yankees had obtained him from the Rangers in the winter of 1978 in the Sparky Lyle trade.

2000 - MLB Free agent starter Mike Mussina inks an $88.5 million, 6-year contract with the Yankees. The 10-year veteran compiled a 147-81 record with a 3.53 ERA as an Orioles hurler. Mike Mussina tells the NYC media that a deciding factor to sign with the Yankees was a telephone call from Yankees Manager Joe Torre.

December 1st

1940 - Former Yankees P Cecil Perkins (1967) was born. Before the 1962 AL Season, the Yankees signed Cecil Perkins as an MLB amateur free agent. He went 0-1 in 2 games with the Yankees in 1967.

1951 - Yankees released former player Tommy “Old Reliable” Henrich as an MLB coach.

1954 - The Yankees and Orioles complete the largest trade in MLB history as 17 players, including stars P Don Larsen, OF Gene Woodling, and P Bob Turley change teams. The 1st phase of the transaction began on November 18th and will conclude today after the 1954 MLB player draft. The Yankees obtained 1B Richard Kryhoski, P Mike Blayzka, C Darrell Johnson, and outfielders Jim Fridley and Tel Del Guercio from the Orioles, with the Yankees sending them P Bill Miller, 3B Kal Segrist, 2B Don Leppert and 2 minor leaguers to be named later. Only C Darrell Johnson remained with the Yankees as a back-up catcher for Yogi Berra in 1958-1959, before he was traded to the Cardinals organization after the 1959 AL season. The rest of the players involved in the trade were traded away or never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. OF Ted del Guercio was the only player in the 17-player trade, who didn’t play in a MLB game during his 12-year career.

1956 - Former Yankees minor league P Tom Filer was born. The Yankees signed Tom, as an MLB amateur free agent in 1978. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On December 8, 1980, Tom was drafted by the A’s from the Yankees organization in the 1980 MLB Rule 5 player draft. On April 9, 1981, he was returned by the A’s to the Yankees. On April 27, 1981, Tom was traded by the Yankees along with cash to the Cubs for veteran C Barry Foote. After retiring as an active player, Tom Filer was a coach in the Yankees' minor league system from 1994-2002: 1994 Pitching coach for the Oneonta Yankees (A), 1999-2001 Pitching coach for the Norwich Navigators (AA) and 2002 Pitching coach for the Columbus Clippers (AAA). Then Tom moved to the Blue Jays' minor league system in 2003. Tom has been with the Phillies' farm system since 2005.

1969 - The Yankees reserve OF/1B Tom Shopay was drafted by the Orioles from the Yankees organization in the 1969 MLB Rule 5 player draft. Tom appeared in 36 games for the Yankees (1967 and 1969) hitting just .189.

1971 - The Yankees obtained veteran INF Bernie Allen from the Rangers for pitchers Terry Ley and Gary Jones. Bernie Allen would be a successful pinch hitter for the Yankees during the 1972 AL season.

1978 - The Yankees assigned the contract of left-handed reliever Paul Linblad to the Mariners for future considerations. Paul went 0-0 in 7 games with the Yankees after joining them from the Rangers in August of 1978.

1982 - The Yankees signed onetime AL MVP Don Baylor to a free agent contract. Don Baylor won the AL MVP Award in 1979 when he hit 24 HRs with 93 RBI’s for the Angels. He signs a reported 5-year, $5 million contract. After hitting .303, 21 HRS with 85 RBIs in 1982, Don dropped off in his next 2 seasons with the Yankees just hitting only .262 and .231. On March 28, 1986, Don was traded by the Yankees to the Red Sox for OF/DH/1B Mike Easler.

1991 - Former Yankees reserve OF (1940) and MLB Manager Buster Mills passed away. (1908-1991). On October 26, 1938, Buster was traded by the St. Louis Browns along with P Oral Hildebrand to the Yankees for C Joe Glenn and OF Myril Hoag. Buster hit .397 in 14 games for the Yankees in 1940. During the 1953 NL season, Buster managed the Reds for 8 games, posting a 4-4 mark.

December 2nd

1889- Former Yankees INF Ray Morehart (1927) was born. On January 13, 1927, Ray was traded by the White Sox along with C Johnny Grabowski to the Yankees for INF Aaron Ward. Ray was a reserve INF on the 1927 Yankees bench, appearing in 73 games and hitting .256. He retired from MLB after the 1927 World Series.

1903 - Former Yankees P Don Brennan (1933) was born. Don went 5-1 in 18 games with 3 saves for the Yankees in 1933. On March 5, 1934, the Reds purchased Don from the Yankees.

1950 - Former Yankees P Robert “Bob” Kammeyer (1978-1979) was born (1950-2003). Bob was drafted by the Yankees in the 21st round of the 1972 MLB amateur player draft. He attended Dartmouth University, majoring in Economics. Bob went 0-0 in 8 games for the Yankees during the 1978-1979 AL seasons. In 1980, Bob was named International League Pitcher of the Year, while pitching with the Columbus Clippers. Bob passed away in 2003.

1952 - Brooklyn Dodgers executive Buzzie Bavasi dismisses the Yankees front office’s reaction to Jackie Robinson's charges of racism. MLB Commissioner Ford Frick plans to take no action against Jackie Robinson for his remarks to the NYC media. Two days earlier Jackie Robinson had called the Yankees, a racist organization for its failure to promote a black player to the parent club. The 1st black Yankees MLB player would be C Elston Howard in 1955.

1967 - The Yankees purchased C John Boccabella from Cubs for cash. He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. He would be sold to the Expos.

1971 - The Yankees traded former AL ROY P Stan Bahnsen to the White Sox for INF Rich McKinney. This deal failed for the Yankees when McKinney couldn’t handle the transition from 2B to 3B. Meanwhile Bahnsen would win 20 games for the White Sox in 1972. McKinney’s failure at 3B, leading to the Graig Nettles trade with the Indians in the fall of 1972.

1974 - The Yankees purchased OF/1B/DH Bob Oliver from the Orioles for cash. Bob hit only .132 in 18 games before being released by the Yankees on July 15, 1975.

1997 - Former Yankees P Steve Hamilton (1963-1969) passed away from cancer (1936-1997). Steve was obtained from the Senators for P Jim Coates in April of 1963. Steve worked mostly out of the Yankees bullpen until September of 1970, going 34-20 in 312 games with 36 saves. On September 9, 1970, Steve was selected off waivers by the White Sox from the Yankees.

December 3rd

1915 - Former Yankees P Charles “Butch” Wensloff (1943, 1947) was born. Butch Wensloff pitched for 3 seasons in the majors. All 3-years were on a World Series championship team. He was a star with the Yankees as a rookie in 1943, going 13-11. Then, after missing several years of a career to World War II, he came back to win again with the Yankees in 1947, going 3-1. His ERA was well under 3.00 both years. In the 1947 World Series, which the Yankees won, Wensloff pitched a couple scoreless innings in the 6th game. He pitched 1 game for the 1948 Indians, who went on to win the 1948 World Series. He led the American Association in 1942 with 21 victories. On March 27, 1948, he was sent to the Phillies by the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On April 10, 1948, he was returned by the Phillies to the Yankees as part of a conditional deal. On April 12, 1948, he was purchased by the Indians from the Yankees.

1922 - Former Yankees 1B/OF Joe Collins (1948-1957) was born. Before 1939 AL Season, Joe was signed by the Yankees as an MLB amateur free agent. In 10 seasons with the Yankees, Joe hit .256, never really living up to the hitting promise that the Yankees had hoped for. Joe appeared in 7 World Series with the Yankees. During the 1957 AL season Joe was replaced by Bill Skowron as the regular Yankees 1B. On March 20, 1958, Joe was purchased by the Phillies from the Yankees. Joe retired from MLB, turning down a $100,000 player contract offer from the Phillies. He told the NYC media that he wanted to be remembered as a Yankee.

1925 - Former Yankees OF Harry “The Suitcase” Simpson was born (1925-1979). On June 15, 1957, Harry was traded by the A’s along with P Ryne Duren and OF Jim Pisoni to the Yankees for INF Billy Martin, P Ralph Terry, INF/OF Woodie Held, and OF Bob Martyn. In 1957, Harry hit .270 in 75 games for the Yankees. In 1958, he hit only .216 in 24 games, before being traded back to the A’s along with P Bob Grim for A’s P Duke Maas and P Virgil Trucks.

1947- Former Yankees P Gerry Pirtle was born. Gerry was drafted by the Yankees in the 7th round of the 1967 MLB amateur player draft (June Secondary). He never played for the Yankees at the MLB level. On January 23, 1976, he was traded by the Yankees to the Cubs for C Rick Stelmaszek.

1951 - Pitcher Rubén Gómez was drafted by theYankees from the St. Jean Canadians in the 1951 MLB minor league player draft. Ruben will be released by the Yankees organization in June of 1952. Ruben will be signed by the Giants, making his MLB debut in 1953, posting a 13-11 mark. In 1954 he will have his best MLB season posting a 17-9 record for the NL Champion Giants. He won 1 game for the Giants in the 1954 World Series. He will pitch in the MLB for 10 seasons, posting a 76-86 record with the Giants, Phillies, Indians, and Twins.

1960 - Former Yankees P Gene Nelson (1981) was born. On October 8, 1979, Gene was sent to the Yankees by the Rangers to complete the Oscar Gamble-Mickey Rivers trade made earlier in August of 1979. Gene would go 3-1 in 8 games in 1981. In 1982 spring training camp, he made the Yankees starting rotation, but once again the Yankees front office decided to bring in a veteran pitcher rather than go with a young pitcher. On April 1, 1982, Gene was traded by the Yankees along with a player to be named later, P Bill Caudill to the Mariners for starter Shane Rawley. At 1st report of the trade, the Mariners inform Nelson that he would be pitching for their AAA team. Nelson balks telling them that he had just made the Yankees starting rotation, he will not report to their AAA team, finally both sides reached an agreement. The Yankees would later send reserve OF Bobby Brown on April 6, 1982, to the Mariners to complete the trade. Gene would go 6-9 in 22 starts for the Mariners during the 1982 AL season.

1968 - The MLB Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase the amount of offensive run production in both leagues. In the most significant alterations, the committee agrees to decrease the size of the strike zone and lower the height of the pitcher's mound from 15 inches to 10 inches. The rules changes will result in increased run scoring in 1969.

1974 - The Yankees obtained P Skip Lockwood from the Angels for C/INF Bill Sudakis. The Yankees would release Skip Lockwood during spring training, he would sign on with the Mets.

1988 - MLB free agent P Dave LaPoint signs a 3-year contract with the Yankees. Dave would go 14-19 in 48 games with the Yankees. On February 17,1991, Dave was released by the Yankees.

2005 - Former Yankees set-up man Tom “Flash” Gordon agreed to terms with the Phillies on a 3-year contract.

December 4th

1890 - Former Yankees P Bob “Sailor Bob” Shawkey (1915-1927) was born. Bob Shawkey finished his Yankee pitching career with a record of 168-131. A 4-time 20 game winner for the Yankees after being obtained from the A’s In 1915 for $85,000. Bob will manage the Yankees in 1930 to an 86-68 record before being replaced by veteran NL Cubs Manager Joe McCarthy.

1938 - Former Yankees reserve C/1B Bill Bryan (1966-1967) was born. On June 10, 1966, Bill was traded by the A’s along with P Fred Talbot to the Yankees for OF Roger Repoz, pitchers Gil Blanco and Bill Stafford. Bill hit .217 and .166 for the 1966-1967 Yankees. On November 28, 1967, Bill was drafted by the Senators from the Yankees organization in the 1967 MLB Rule 5 player draft.

1954 - Former Yankees reserve INF Tucker Ashford (1981) was born. On October 24, 1980, Tucker was traded by the Rangers with cash to the Yankees for INF Roger Holt. In 1981, Tucker will appear in only 3 games with the Yankees with no hits. On October 27, 1982, he was purchased by the Blue Jays from the Yankees. On April 5, 1983, Tucker is returned to the Yankees by the Blue Jays. On April 18, 1983, Tucker is traded by the Yankees to the Mets for a player to be named later and Steve Ray (minors). The Mets would send minor leaguer Felix Perdomo on May 3, 1983 to the Yankees to complete the trade.

1957 - MLB baseball kills the bonus rule and raises the minimum MLB player salary to $7,000. Yankees GM George Weiss stayed away from the bonus rule type players after the signings of 1B Frank Leja and INF Tommy Carroll. Yankees Manager Casey Stengel did not play the bonus players, who had to stay with the MLB team for 2 years.

1957 - Former Yankees P Lee Smith (1993) was born. The former NL All Star Cardinals closer Lee appeared in 8 games with a 0-0 record with 3 saves in September of 1993, before leaving the Yankees for free agency. He would sign with the Orioles.

1957 - Former Yankees reserve OF Pat Sheridan (1991) was born. On January 24, 1991, Pat was signed as a MLB free agent with the Yankees. He would bat only .204 in 62 games for the Yankees during the 1991 AL season.

1962 - Former Yankees reserve OF Stanley “Stan” Jefferson (1989) was born. On October 24, 1988, Stan was traded by the Padres along with P Jimmy Jones and P Lance McCullers to the Yankees for 1B Jack Clark and P Pat Clements. Stan appeared in only 10 games with the Yankees, just hitting only .083. On July 20, 1989, Stan was traded by the Yankees to the Orioles for P John Habyan

1964 - The MLB restore to the commissioner's office all powers rescinded after Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis's death in 1944. Principally, they waived their right to take legal action in the event of disagreements with the MLB Commissioner and grant him authority to judge whether actions taken by the owners in concert are, automatically "in the best interests of baseball." Voting for the annual MLB All-Star teams is turned back to the fans.

1964 - MLB approves a free-agent draft. At their winter meetings in Houston, the minor league and major league organizations establish a system, basically like that of professional football, which will take effect in January of 1965 and be held every 4 months thereafter. Choices will be exercised by clubs in reverse order of their previous year's league standings. Draftees must be included in their club's 40-man roster or be susceptible to claim at the waiver price the following season. This move by the MLB owners would end the dominance of the Yankees and Dodgers from spending big money to sign young players, giving the poorer teams a chance to sign young talented players.

1968 - The Yankees obtained reserve OF Richard Simpson from the Astros for reliever Dooley Womack. Simpson hit .273 in 6 games for the 1969 Yankees before being sent to the Pilots. Dooley Womack was never effective pitcher after leaving the Yankees.

1968 - The Dodgers traded P Mike Kekich to the Yankees for OF Andy Kosco. Kosco never really showed the promise of being a power hitter, while playing for the Yankees. Mike Kelich is more known for his wife trade with fellow Yankees teammate P Fritz Peterson than for his pitching with the Yankees.

1969 - The Yankees send veteran starter Al Downing and C Frank Fernandez to A’s for 1B Danny Cater and C Ossie Chavarria. Al Downing was still coming back from pitching arm problems. Frank Fernandez was a weak hitting catcher. Danny Cater would be traded to the Red Sox for reliever Sparky Lyle in March of 1972.

1969 - The Yankees traded former AL Golden Glove winner 1B/OF Joe Pepitone to the Astros for 1B/OF/C Curt Blefary. Curt returns to the Yankees, the MLB team that he originally signed with in the early 1960’s. He was lost by the Yankees in a 40-man roster move made during the 1963 AL season, adding veteran INF Harry Bright. The Orioles immediately claimed Curt, who was playing at Greensboro (AA). Curt will be a major disappointment for the Yankees, never showing the power hitting that he had with the Orioles during the mid 1960’s. Joe Pepitone had worn out his welcome with the Yankees front office with his disputes with the team.

1975 - Former Yankees P Ed Yarnell (1999-2000) was born. On February 1, 1999, Ed was traded by the Marlins along with Todd Noel (minors) and Mark J. Johnson to the Yankees for INF Mike Lowell. Ed went 1-0 in 7 games with the Yankees. On July 12, 2000, Ed was traded by the Yankees along with OF Jackson Melian (minors), 3B Drew Henson, and Brian Reith to the Reds for OF Mike Frank and veteran starter Denny Neagle.

1985 - Yankees minor league P Andrew Brackman was born. Andrew Brackman is a 6' 11" right-handed Minor League Baseball pitcher with the Yankees organization. He signed a 4 year $4.55 million dollar deal with $3.35 million signing bonus as the 30th overall pick of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2009, he pitched for Charleston River Dogs. He is still recovering from arm surgery.

1990 - Former Yankees closer Dave Righetti signs as a MLB free agent with the Giants.

1992 - The Yankees signed MLB free agent shortstop Spike Owen (1993) to a 3-year contract. Spike hit .234 in 103 games with the Yankees, before being traded on December 9, 1993, along with cash to the Angels for minor league player Jose Musset.

December 5th

1871 - Former Yankees P Lewis “Snake” Wiltse (1902-1903) was born. He went 7-14 in 21 games for the Yankees.

1928 - Former Yankees minor league P Jack Urban was born. In 1949, the Yankees signed Jack as an MLB amateur free agent. He never appeared with the Yankees at the MLB level. On April 5, 1957, Jack was sent by the Yankees to the A’s to complete an earlier deal made on February 19, 1957. The Yankees sent a player to be named later, along with OF Irv Noren, INF Milt Graff, P Mickey McDermott, P Tom Morgan, P Rip Coleman, and INF Billy Hunter to the A’s for players to be named later, along with P Art Ditmar, P Bobby Shantz, P Jack McMahan, and INF Wayne Belardi. The Yankees would send P Jack Urban on April 5, 1957 to the A’s to complete the trade. The Athletics would send INF Curt Roberts on April 4, 1957. The A’s would send INF Clete Boyer on June 4, 1957 to the Yankees to complete the trade. On April 8, 1959, Jack was traded by the A’s back to the Yankees for P Mark Freeman. On May 12, 1959, Jack was purchased by the Cardinals from the Yankees. Despite of all of this MLB trade activity, Jack managed to have MLB career record of 15-15 in 69 games with the A’s and the Cardinals. His best MLB season was in 1957, posting a 7-4 record with the A’s.

1958 - The Phillies, hoping to fill the NL void in New York City caused by departure of the Giants and Dodgers to California, drop any plans for 1959 regular season broadcasts into New York City after the Yankees threaten to broadcast their 1959 AL season games into Philadelphia TV market.

1964 - Former Yankees OF/DH Gary Roenicke (1986) was born. On December 12, 1985, Gary was traded by the Orioles with a player to be named later to the Yankees for P Rich Bordi and INF Rex Hudler. The Orioles would send Leo Hernandez on December 16, 1985 to the Yankees to complete the trade. Gary would hit .265 in 69 games with the Yankees, before leaving the team for free agency.

1974 -The Yankees obtained reserve INF Eddie Leon from the White Sox for reliever Cecil Upshaw. Ed would only appear in 1 game for the Yankees before being released by the team on May 5, 1975. Upshaw, who was obtained from the Indians in the Chris Chambliss trade in 1974, was a major disappointment for the Yankees.

1984 - The Yankees traded veteran C Rick Cerone to the Braves for minor league P Brian Fisher. Rick had only played in 38 games for the 1984 Yankees hitting just .208. Brian Fisher would work out of the Yankees bullpen in 1985.

1996 - Two days after signing C Joe Girardi, the Yankees send back-up C Jim Leyritz to the Angels in exchange for minor leaguer players Ryan Kane and Jeremy Blevins. Jim Leyritz, the Yankee player with the longest tenure of 5 years, 126 days was vulnerable because of his $1.75 million yearly contract.

1996 - Former Yankees reserve OF Cliff Mapes (1948-1951) passed away (1922-1996). On November 1, 1946, Cliff was drafted by the Yankees from the Indians organization in the 1946 MLB Rule 5 player draft. He was the last active Yankee player to wear Babe Ruth’s No. 3 Yankees uniform. Also he wore No. 7 during the 1951 AL season; the number that rookie OF Mickey Mantle would get after returning from Kansas City Blues (AAA). On July 31, 1951, Cliff was purchased by the Browns from the Yankees.

2001 - New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announces he wants to complete new stadium deals for the Mets and Yankees before he leaves office at the end of the month. Before the September 11 attacks, which dramatically changed the city's financial stature, the mayor thought an arrangement in which the city, the state and the owners agreed to pay one-third of the cost of the new stadiums might complete the negotiations with the teams.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Hall of fame deserving or not, Yankees legend Don Mattingly will be on the Hall of Fame ballot once again since becoming eligible for Cooperstown in 2000.

The 6-time all-star and the 9-time gold glover was the face of the Yankees from 1982-1995, as he played his entire career with the Bronx Bombers. From 1984-1989, he was arguably the best player in baseball, as during that six-year run beginning in 1984, Mattingly averaged 26 home runs, 114 RBIs and a .327 average, representing the Yankees on the AL All-Star team in each of those seasons. And if only those 6 years were looked at, he would be a no-doubt first ballot HOF’er. But injuries plagued him for the rest of his career, and that drastically hurt his chances for the Hall.

“I don’t think I’m a Hall of Famer,” Mattingly told Newsday two years ago. “I don’t think I have the numbers. Part of it is longevity, and I wasn’t able to do that and do the things that I did early in my career.”

The saddest part of Don Mattingly’s career is that he just happened to play in the 17-year period in which the Yankees stunk and didn’t win one World Series. He finally got to the playoffs in 1995 when the Yanks won the Wild Card, but they got eliminated in the first-round by the Mariners. And then, to make it even more sad, Don retired right after that season, and that next year, as you know, the Yankees began their late 90’s dynasty, winning 3 World Series championships in 1996, 1998, and 1999, plus another one to kick off the 21st century in 2000.

Mattingly’s number 23 was retired by the Yanks in 1997, and he will always have a place in Yankee fans’ hearts. But a place in the Hall of Fame? That’s still to be determined.

The Save Gate 2 group has been fighting to get Yankee Stadium's Gate 2 preserves as part of the new Heritage Park. A few weeks ago it seemed like their chances of getting that to happen were slim, but as Pete Caldera reports, they have some reasons to be optimistic.

At a public hearing last month, the city’s public design commission rejected the parks department’s plan for Heritage Park. "That was pretty good news for us," said Mark Costello, 56, another key member of the Save the Yankee Gate 2 Committee.

Costello, who pitched his committee’s plan at the hearing, said the parks department was chastised for its lack of imagination and creativity. Still, the department stressed it had no plans to incorporate any preservation of Gate 2.

"It’s kind of strike two on them," Costello said of the parks department, which had its previous Heritage Park plan rejected last spring. The next, earliest opportunity to update the plan is at the Public Design Commission’s mid-December hearing.

...

"They almost have to come back with something representative of the old Stadium," Trush said.

It's still doubtful that they're gonna get this thing done, but at least they're fighting the good fight. I'm not a big fan of the current Heritage Park plans so I hope it's a fight they win. I've always thought this idea was great, and still don't understand why the Yankees won't get behind something like this.

Phil Rogers (hat-tip to Chad Jennings) is reporting that Bud Selig has told a group of five owners that he will step down after 2012 "because he has other things to do while he's able."

Reached at his Milwaukee office Wednesday, Selig declined to discuss his conversations with ownership but confirmed he plans to stay on the job three more years. That means the next labor agreement, due to be negotiated in 2011, would be his final official act.

I've never been a fan of Selig's and he will leave with the legacy of being the man in charge during "the steroid era", and likely take much of the blame for it. But to be fair it wasn't all bad; the game has seen its popularity and revenue reach record numbers since he took over in 1992. The game has also seen the introduction of interleague play and the Wild Card, although there are many people who dislike both.

Gawker (hat-tip to Zell's Pinstripe Blog) is reporting that they've received word via an email tipster that Derek Jeter will be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. According to the tipster, "the magazine will hand the title to the Yankees captain on Monday in a story by baseball writer Tom Verducci."

The award is giving to "the athlete or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement." I'd say that fits Jeter quite well.

I guess we'll see how legit the report is soon enough, but if it is congrats to The Captain, the honor is well deserved.

Friday, November 27, 2009

After the release had been delayed a few days I was finally able to pick up the 2009 World Series DVD at Modell's earlier today. I sat down and watched it tonight and was very pleased.

My only complaint with these kinds of DVDs is that they're never long enough, and the same can be said for this one. Besides that I have no complaints. The DVD had great highlights, good player commentary, and like they always do it gives fans a chance to relive their team's great championship run.

MLB decided to make absolutely no mention of A-Rod steroids troubles, but with all the bad PR baseball has gotten over the whole PED thing I can understand why they decided to leave that out.

The best part of the DVD may even be the bonus features. They include highlights of all the big plays on the Yankees road to #27. Most of the replays are without any kind of play-by-play, which is pretty cool. Here's a list of all of the highlights:

ALDS Game 2: A-Rod's homer

ALDS Game 2: Tex's walk-off

ALCS Game 2: A-Rod's homer

ALCS Game 2: Yankees walk-off win

ALCS Game 6: Final out

WS Game 3: A-Rod's two-run homer

WS Game 4: Johnny Damon's 9th inning at-bat

WS Game 4: Damon's steal of second and third

WS Game 4: A-Rod's RBI double

WS Game 6: Matsui's two-run homer, two-run single, and two-run double

WS Game 6: The final three outs

WS Game 6: Player reactions to the final out

If you're a Yankees fan, and you should be if you're reading this blog, I definitely suggest picking up the DVD. If you have it already, let me know your impressions.

According Bob Elliott, he was told by an MLB executive that Roy Halladay would waive his NTC and approve a deal to the Yankees if the Yanks and Jays were able to work something out.

“I don’t know who Toronto will wind up with,” a major league executive said Friday. “I don’t know when he is going and I don’t know where he’s going.

“But I do know that Halladay has told the Jays he’ll approve a trade to the Yankees.”

This is not a surprise, or major news, but it's slow tonight so I figured I'd post it. Back during the 2009 trade deadline it was reported that one of the teams Halladay was open to was the Yankees, so I couldn't imagine that changing in the last few months, especially with the Yankees coming off a World Series win. It was also reported back then that Halladay would approve a deal to Boston as well.

Kevin Towers, fired last month as the Padres' general manager, told ESPN that he will meet with the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Mariners at the winter meetings in Indianapolis and decide which team to join - in an advisory role - shortly after.

The odds favor the Yankees to land Towers, 48, who is widely respected throughout the industry for the job he did in San Diego.

Davidoff points out that Towers is friends with Brian Cashman and this could give the Yankees the edge to land the former Padres GM. Towers is known to be a very good evaluator in talent and any organization could use a guy like that.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, hope your day is filled with food, family, and football... great day huh?

Yankee fans have enjoyed an amazing year, and our first title in 9 years- the 3rd longest streak in franchise history, btw. We've got a World Series title, a great outlook for next year, among other things. Just take a second to be thankful for not only the Yankee aspect in your life but everything else, too.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

BTW, in the two previous World-Series-title-less streaks the Yankees won another World Series within 2 years of ending the streak... just saying. :)

Bob Sheppard has officially called it a career. The 99-year-old "Voice of Yankee Stadium" had this to say to Bryan Hoch:

"I have no plans of coming back," Sheppard said on Wednesday in a telephone interview. "Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don't think, at my age, I'm going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well."

...

"I haven't been well," Sheppard said. "I had problems breathing for a while, and then I had a loss of weight. Now I'm trying to build myself back up again to get back to the stamina that I had when I played football at St. John's [University] many, many, many years ago, and life-guarding in the summer. I was at one time, about two years ago, down to 103 pounds.

"The doctor said that when I get to be about 145 pounds, he will give me clearance again. I have now reached about 137 and I'm not too far from what he wanted me to be. I have to keep building, and I'll be back at my best weight."

...

Sheppard said that he doubts "very, very much" that he will be able to perform the public address duties for even one Yankees game in 2010.

Sheppard did has nice things to say about his replacement, Paul Olden, who he speaks with often.Sheppard said Olden was a "dignified and professional fellow," and when he's listening to him on TV "he sounds clear. He sounds dignified. I think he sounds professional. That's what the Yankees were looking for."

This doesn't come as much of a surprise, he's been unofficially retired for a few years now. But still, it's the end of an era.

Ken Rosenthal explains on Fox Sports today why he thinks that any talks to acquire Toronto's Roy Halladay will likely take longer than what Boston is hoping for. He starts out the article by saying that discussions for the right-hander could mirror the Johan Sanatana talks if Halladay would only waive his if he got a contract extension, which will likely be the case.

He goes on to discuss how the Jays interest in Boston prospect Casey Kelly, and Boston's reluctance to deal him, will likely keep the talks between Boston and Toronto going for some time.

He also explains why Toronto has no need to rush into things:

The Jays, on the other hand, need not accept an inferior package for Halladay. They can keep him next season, offer him salary arbitration after he becomes a free agent and receive two high picks in return. Halladay's trade value is at least the talent equivalent of the two high picks.

And also hints at Boston's reasons for trying to push for a quick deal:

The Red Sox would be wise to push hard for a rapid resolution on Halladay at a time when the Yankees have yet to set their budget for next season. Santana, though, was not traded until Feb. 2 in the 2007-08 offseason. The Twins' Bill Smith was a new G.M., just like the Jays' Alex Anthopoulos is now.

That makes sense, hopefully Anthopoulos is smart and waits until the Yankees get into the bidding. At the very least it will drive up the price for the Red Sox.

Rosenthal concludes by stating that while Toronto is motivated to move Halladay that these "will be complex, tricky, multi-layered negotiations." And it would be "an upset" if they ended quickly. I agree.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Big League Stew came out with their list of the top 10 home runs of the 2000's. There were a couple Yankees on the list; Aaron Boone's shot off Wakefield in game 7 of the '03 ALCS came in at number two, and Derek Jeter becoming Mr. November was sixth.

Homers from Matsui, Teixeira, and A-Rod from this year's playoffs, Brosius's shot off Kim in '01, and Soriano's walk-off agianst the Mariners in the '01 ALCS made the just missed list.

It was reported today by Ken Davidoff that the Yankees have signed outfielder Jon Weber to a minor league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training. This winter he's been playing for Venados de Mazatlan of the Mexican Winter League. In 15 games he's hitting .455/.471/.682 with 3 HR and 19 RBI. In 117 games for the triple-A Durham Bulls this season the 31-year-old hit .302/.382/.497 with 14 HR and 69 RBI. He hasn't made a MLB appearance and has spent the last decade in the minors.

Yesterday, Johnny Damon was back in the city for an event on top of the Empire State Building, where he and four-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson to flip the switch and light up the top of the building in Johnson's No. 48 team's blue, white and yellow.

During the event he was asked by the media about Johnson and his four straight championships and a possible return to the Yankees.

"Hopefully, if I'm part of the Yankees, we can say four's going to happen."

Asked if that means that he is looking for a three-year deal to stay in pinstripes, Damon delivered a message to Yankees GM Brian Cashman.

"I know what's here in New York - you have the new Stadium, you have the great coaches, you have the great players," Damon said. "You guys just have to tell Cash to get things going with me. I'm up for it."

Damon also said that he has value if he returns in recruiting players like he did with Sabathia and Burnett last offseason.

While I like the fact that he's saying these things and showing that he wants to return, no matter what he says he's still going to sign with whatever team gives him the best deal.

The Red Sox are "putting on a full-court press" to acquire Roy Halladay, according to a source, and are hoping to add the former Cy Young winner to the top of their rotation to go with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.

"They would love to get it wrapped up before the winter meetings (beginning Dec. 7)," the source said of the Red Sox, who made a big push to deal for Halladay last summer.

The article goes on to speculate that Boston would probably have to give up Clay Buchholz along with minor leaguer pitcher/shortstop, Casey Kelley.

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is said to be smitten with Kelly, which could be a sticking point in talks with Toronto if Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos insists on the 20-year-old being included in a deal.

I absolutely hate the idea of the Red Sox getting Halladay. With Halladay, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka they would have the best top four starters in any rotation in baseball. And with Boston "smitten" with Halladay it will bring up the price if the Yankees get into the mix.

Also, if Boston does land the right-hander I think it would force the Yankees to get even more seriously involved in the John Lackey sweepstakes.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

- Baseball America is reporting that the Yankees have signed Dominican center fielder Eladio Moronta, and the deal was confirmed by a team official.

MLB had suspended Moronta for one year earlier this year for misrepresenting his age, then lifted the suspension on September 28 after Moronta admitted he was 20 years old, not 17.

Moronta, who turns 21 on December 16, is a 6-foot-1, 183-pound righthanded hitter with plus-plus speed, a strong arm and projectable power.

All I know about the kid is that he was suspended for five months after lying about his age.

- According to the NY Post, "a Yankees official said there was nothing to the talk that the club had a serious interest in free agent outfielder/DH Jermaine Dye". Some fans have mentioned his name as a candidate for DH or even left if Damon and/or Matsui don't come back.

- Johnny Damon's wife, Michelle, told Newsday that three teams have already called Johnny to discuss his services for the 2010 season. The left fielder also is looking for something long-term, which the Yankees aren't going to do.

Since the World Series ended almost 3 weeks ago, there has been very little news regarding talks with free-agents Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, or Andy Pettitte on potential new deals. And today, GM Brian Cashman said that he does not expect to hear from Pettitte regarding his future anytime soon.

Andy had a great season this year, going 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 32 starts with the Bombers in his 14th MLB season. But the way the process of negotiations have gone so far, it may be possible that Pettitte is leaning towards hanging 'em up and going out in style.

"I thought Andy was real important to our success," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Monday. "Any time you lose a starting pitcher that gives you 200 innings, that's a hole."

Re-signing Andy Pettitte for next season is key, because then if he does retire, that forces you to go out and sign another pitcher like John Lackey or trade for Roy Halladay. And god for bid the Yanks are unable to get either of them, that would leave just CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett as the only returning pitchers from the rotation that brought a 27th World Championship to the Bronx this fall.

Then you would also have to put either Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in the rotation, plus a guy like Sergio Mitre or Chad Gaudin. And I know I'm kinda putting the worst-case scenario out there, but simply put - they really need to try to bring back Andy Pettitte.

Like Joe Mauer yesterday, today's announcement of the NL MVP comes as no surprise. Albert Pujols received all of the possible 32 first-place votes and finished off his third MVP season batting .327/.443/.658 with 47 home runs and 135 RBI. Florida's Hanley Ramirez finished second, with Ryan Howard coming in third. The rest of the voting results can be found here.

In his most recent blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney says that besides their outfield needs their main focus will be their bullpen and in all likelihood will look to land two relievers. Olney also said that "it's unclear whether New York GM Brian Cashman is going to be willing to give up his first-round pick in the draft for a set-up man."

To me getting the starting rotation in order should be the main priority, with the bullpen being issue number 3 behind the rotation and the outfield. Joe Girardi said yesterday that their main focus would be the starting rotation so I guess you can take this Olney article with a grain of salt. Especially when you consider their pen was a strength last year and they have a lot of good arms in their farm system.

Putting Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in next year's rotation would changes things a lot, and the pen would then definitely need an addition or two, but like I said last week, that all depends on how much Cashman trusts Joba and Hughes. Peter Gammons wrote today that that is in fact their plan, at least as of now.

The Yankees are planning to go to spring training with Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain being programmed to start. "They can always go from starting to the bullpen, but it's tough going the other way," says Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Cashman feels David Robertson and Damaso Marte can pitch the seventh and eighth innings in front of Mariano Rivera, but a Yankee run at Lackey, Ben Sheets or another starter hasn't been ruled out. The feeling inside the Yankees' offices is that there will be some payroll cutback, but how much is not known.

I don't know about you, but I'm not comfortable with David Robertson and Damaso Marte being the main setup men. Maybe they will need two relievers after all.